Chyawanprash

Chyawanprash (also spelled chyavanaprasha, chyavanaprash, chyavanaprasam and chyawanaprash) is a jam-like cooked mixture of sugar, honey, Triphala, ghee, sesame oil, berries and other herbs and spices. It is prepared as per the instructions suggested in Ayurvedic texts. Chyawanprash is widely sold and consumed in India as a dietary supplement.

Taste and appearance[edit]

Chyawanaprash tastes sweet and sour at the same time. The taste is largely dominated by the flavors of honey, ghee and triphala, and the smell by clarified butter, ghee and other spices including sandalwood, cinnamon and cardamom. Its appearance resembles semi-molten tar - a thick dark brown paste.

Consumption[edit]

Chyawanaprash is usually consumed directly or along with warm milk or water. The recommended consumption is usually about 1 tbsp twice a day.

Claimed benefits[edit]

It is a general health tonic and is the best known Ayurvedic tonic.[4]

Composition[edit]

The recipe of chyavanprash is mentioned in manuscripts written for ayurvedic method of treatment viz. Ashtangahridayam, Charakasamhita, Sangandharasamhita. Triphala is a primary ingredient of Chyawanaprash which makes it rich in Vitamin C (445 mg/100g).[5] The number of herbs used may vary from 25 to 80 but the main ingredient of all Chyawanprash is amla[6] Other chief ingredients are:

Market[edit]

The market size of chyawanprash in 2010 was Indian Rs 4 billion (about $80 million USD). Chyawanprash in India is marketed through film stars and sports persons such as Shahrukh Khan, Ravi Kishan, and M.S. Dhoni.[7]